"Divine discontent" : women, identity, and the Western Producer
Date
1996
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
This thesis is a study of the construction of identity of farm women on the "Mainly For
Women" pages of the Western Producer from 1930 to 1939. It is an examination of how
farm women drew upon and challenged traditional concepts of women's work roles on the
farm to create a collective identity more practical to the reality of their everyday
experiences. During the Great Depression, women's work roles took on greater
importance, and farm women sought greater recognition and appreciation of the value of
their labour. They turned to the "Mainly For Women" pages, which were edited by
fellow farm woman Violet McNaughton, to discuss and debate their reproductive,
productive, and community work. Since the material published on the pages was largely
written by farm women, the pages revealed the qualities that united them as a group as
well as how they perceived themselves as a collective.
Description
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Citation
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
History
Program
History